City Matters 127

10 March - 06 April 2021 Edition 127
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The City of London’s independent newspaper with 45,000 READERS
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VIRTUAL BINGO PARTIES
THE Court of Common Council
has agreed to protect spending
on social care, rough sleeping and
academies as part of an effor to
ensure the organisation’s finances
remain on a sustainable footing
over the medium-term.
Elected Members discussed
a number of proposals relating
to the City Corporation’s 2021/22
budget amid a cha lenging
economic outlook, which has led
to significant lost income due to
the closure of many services and
facilities – including, in particular,
the Barbican Centre.
At a virtual meeting, councilors
agreed an increase in the adult
social care precept of 3.00% from
1 April 2021, to help in meeting
additional social care costs during UK councils had the option to raise
the pandemic.
tax by a further two per cent, but
They also announced that the City Corporation declined.
council tax wi l otherwise be frozen Business rates premiums – used
in 2021/22. However, that does not to support the City of London
prevent a Government-enforced Police, security and contingency
three per cent council tax rise for planning activity within the Square
every local authority in the country. Mile at an enhanced level – wi l
MOTHER’S DAY MEAL KITS
The Dabbers bingo ha l used to
You may not be able to visit
be fu l of Mi lennials, but since
mum in person, but you can
going online, their over-the-top
sti l order some local restaurantquality
food to be delivered right
games are loved by a l kinds of
people around the UK Page 9
to her door this year Page 12
10 Mar - 06 Apr 2021 The City of London’s independent newspaper with 45,000 READERS
Edition 127
Front-line services
spend is protected
Council tax freeze also announced by City Corporation’s
Court of Common Council as members agree budget
Social care is secured
also be frozen at 0.8p in the pound
in 2021/22 given the impact of
Covid-19 on City businesses.
Elected Members have also
decided partialy to protect the
Community and Children’s
Services budget, which wi l see a
reduction of 6% in 2021/22.
This compares to 12% budget
reductions across other services
areas in 2021/22.
In 2021/22, the City wi l also be
implementing a new target operating
model, enabling substantial
organisational efficiencies.
Chairman of the Finance
Commitee, Jeremy Mayhew, said:
“Elected Members today agreed to
act prudently, strongly reinforcing,
over the medium-term, the
sustainability of our finances.
“These tough decisions are
crucial given the continuing
financial impact of the Covid-19
pandemic and the uncertain
economic outlook.
“It is vital that the City Corporation
has a robust financial plan, so
that we can continue to provide
high quality, efficient services for
workers, residents and visitors.
“We are commited to building
back be ter and ensuring the
Square Mile flourishes for generations
to come.”
Londoners with
‘long Covid’ P3
City’s culture plans
for 2021 P10 & 11
New funding for
Kiln Theatre P17
THE EYES
AND TELL HIM
THE RISK
ISN’T REAL.
Tony
Covid-19 patient

VIRTUAL BINGO PARTIES
The Dabbers bingo hall used to
be full of Millennials, but since
going online, their over-the-top
games are loved by all kinds of
people around the UK Page 9
MOTHER’S DAY MEAL KITS
You may not be able to visit
mum in person, but you can
still order some local restaurantquality
food to be delivered right
to her door this year Page 12
10 Mar - 06 Apr 2021 The City of London’s independent newspaper with 45,000 READERS
Edition 127
Front-line services
spend is protected
Council tax freeze also announced by City Corporation’s
Court of Common Council as members agree budget
THE Court of Common Council
has agreed to protect spending
on social care, rough sleeping and
academies as part of an effort to
ensure the organisation’s finances
remain on a sustainable footing
over the medium-term.
Elected Members discussed
a number of proposals relating
to the City Corporation’s 2021/22
budget amid a challenging
economic outlook, which has led
to significant lost income due to
the closure of many services and
facilities – including, in particular,
the Barbican Centre.
At a virtual meeting, councillors
agreed an increase in the adult
social care precept of 3.00% from
1 April 2021, to help in meeting
additional social care costs during
the pandemic.
They also announced that
council tax will otherwise be frozen
in 2021/22. However, that does not
prevent a Government-enforced
three per cent council tax rise for
every local authority in the country.
UK councils had the option to raise
tax by a further two per cent, but
the City Corporation declined.
Business rates premiums – used
to support the City of London
Police, security and contingency
planning activity within the Square
Mile at an enhanced level – will
Social care is secured
also be frozen at 0.8p in the pound
in 2021/22 given the impact of
Covid-19 on City businesses.
Elected Members have also
decided partially to protect the
Community and Children’s
Services budget, which will see a
reduction of 6% in 2021/22.
This compares to 12% budget
reductions across other services
areas in 2021/22.
In 2021/22, the City will also be
implementing a new target operating
model, enabling substantial
organisational efficiencies.
Chairman of the Finance
Committee, Jeremy Mayhew, said:
“Elected Members today agreed to
act prudently, strongly reinforcing,
over the medium-term, the
sustainability of our finances.
“These tough decisions are
crucial given the continuing
financial impact of the Covid-19
pandemic and the uncertain
economic outlook.
“It is vital that the City Corporation
has a robust financial plan, so
that we can continue to provide
high quality, efficient services for
workers, residents and visitors.
“We are committed to building
back better and ensuring the
Square Mile flourishes for generations
to come.”
Londoners with
‘long Covid’ P3
City’s culture plans
for 2021 P10 & 11
New funding for
Kiln Theatre P17

CITYMATTERS.LONDON
10 March - 06 April 2021 | Page 3
NEWS
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Nearly 140,000
Londoners are
experiencing ‘long
Covid’ symptoms
Support for the City
City Corp hails renewed
commitment to save jobs
THE City of London’s Policy Chair hailed
the “extraordinary support” offered to
businesses in the budget.
Catherine McGuinness said plans will
provide struggling businesses with a
lifeline as they look forward to restrictions
being eased and emerging from the
pandemic.
The furlough scheme will be extended
to September with the view of a slower
economic recovery.
Ms McGuinness added: “As the fourth
largest funder of heritage and cultural
activities in the UK, the City Corporation
also welcomes the Chancellor’s
announcement of a package for
museums, theatres and galleries to help
them reopen
“Culture and the arts will play a vital role
in the post-Covid recovery of the City, the
capital, and the UK.
“However, businesses also need
certainty and we urgently need our
economy to thrive to help pay for the vast
amount of support being provided at this
time.
“This is why the City hopes the
Government will provide some clarity on
when office workers can return to Covidsecure
workplaces as soon as possible.”
On visas and skills:
“We welcome the Chancellor’s
announcement to fast track visas for
high-growth companies, which was a key
recommendation of the Kalifa Review.
“It’s essential that the UK is able to
attract international talent to unlock the
full potential of fintech and other fastgrowing
industries.
“The new visa scheme will help firms
attract the talent they need to scale up in
the UK. We look forward to greater clarity
related to the timeline and eligibility.
“We also welcome the increased
funding for developing digital skills for
SMEs and support for apprenticeships,
which will prepare the nation’s workforce
for the jobs of tomorrow.”
On Green bonds:
“The UK’s financial and professional
services sector has a vital role to play in
tackling climate change.
“We welcome the Chancellor’s bold
commitment to introduce green bonds,
which will capitalise on growing investor
demand for assets that fund environmentally-friendly
projects and create
new green jobs across up and down the
country.
“As the UK prepares for the COP26
climate conference in Glasgow, this is an
opportunity to show global leadership
when it comes to green finance.”
On carbon markets:
“A scaled-up voluntary carbon offset
market, underpinned by principles of high
environmental integrity and as part of a
credible transition strategy, will play an
important part in supporting the transition
to net-zero.
“The Chancellor announced that Dame
Clara Furse will establish a new group
with the aim of positioning the UK and
the City of London at the heart of this
future market.
“With its strong financial infrastructure,
the City of London is well placed to
enable this, and we will be supporting this
endeavour.”
On tax:
“It is vital that our tax system remains
internationally competitive. That’s why we
welcome the Chancellor’s commitment
to review the bank surcharge and the
new ‘super-deduction’ relief for firms that
invest, which will encourage the creation
of jobs across the UK and support the
country’s economic recovery.”
On infrastructure
“It’s vital that we invest in the infrastructure
of the future to keep our economy
competitive.
“The new infrastructure bank will,
alongside the private sector, play a vital
role in providing the finance necessary to
deliver major projects across the UK.”
UP to 139,000 Londoners have had or are
still experiencing long Covid according to
new figures from the London Assembly,
writes Joe Talora, Local Democracy
Reporter.
New research from the Office for
National Statistics estimates that one in
five people across the UK has had or still
has long Covid, where symptoms such as
fatigue or breathing problems persist for
weeks or months after getting infected.
With a total of 697,782 confirmed
cases of Covid-19 in London so far, the
London Assembly’s health committee has
estimated that up to 139,000 people in
the capital have experienced long Covid,
prompting calls for more support.
Dr Onkar Sahota, chair of the
Assembly’s health committee, said: “Covid
cases may be falling around the city but
the long-term side effects of this horrific
virus are causing worry, stress and despair
for many people who have yet to receive
a diagnosis.
“There is increasing recognition that
long Covid is affecting tens of thousands
of people, has unknown long-term health
effects and makes life miserable for
those that get it and their families. Those
suffering from long Covid will endure
greater stress and will need extra support
to make a full recovery.
“Londoners, who before catching
Covid-19 were healthy and active are
now no longer able to walk or run the
distances that they used to without
getting out of breath.
Some people who are experiencing
long Covid have been unable to work or
walk 10 metres without needing to take a
break.
“For many, Covid does not go away
after two weeks, it lingers making life a
misery for those it refuses to leave.”
Following the announcement of the
latest figures, Dr Sahota added: “Our
city must be prepared to treat those
Londoners who are experiencing
prolonged symptoms linked to this deadly
virus.”
The health committee has written to
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan calling on
him to outline his plans to support those
who are experiencing “life-changing” long
Covid symptoms.
Ongoing difficulties

CITYMATTERS.LONDON 10 March - 06 April 2021 | Page 5

CITYMATTERS.LONDON 10 March - 06 April 2021 | Page 7

CITYMATTERS.LONDON
10 March - 06 April 2021 | Page 9
ARTS & CULTURE
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VIRTUAL BINGO
FROM DABBERS IN THE CITY
Dabbers Bingo
WHEN it comes to social
gaming, bingo brings one
the most diverse groups
of people together. And
that’s especially true for
Dabbers’ virtual games.
The Zoom call is made up of people
from all different backgrounds – who we
doubt you’d ever see all together in the real
world. But they’re brought together by a
shared boredom and a love of bingo. It’s
like a big social experiment.
We played against old Kevin who was
with his grandson, plenty of couples having
an alternative date night, a handful of young
families with their pets, plenty of rowdy
house shares, a couple of punk kids trying to
enjoy it all sarcastically, a few rooms of lads
on the beers, and even a stray middle-aged
man in a full-on suit with disco lights whizzing
around his living room.
No judgement here – we are all doing
whatever we can to survive another lockdown.
And from time to time, they’d play
some pop music and show everyone
dancing about in their respective homes.
It switches through each of these characters
in their own lockdown world, just
like a cheesy M&S ad. It feels set up. But
these folks are all real. And each person is
just as over this lockdown as the next.
Thankfully, Dabbers’ bingo offers a little
escapism. You sign up online and pay about
£8 per person, depending upon how many
people in your household are taking part.
Then you download Zoom and login to the
game when they’re ready for you. They’ll
email you the bingo cards which you can
print them off or play on your phone (it’s
far more fun to print them off). Then all you
have to do is follow the game.
Now, you must remember this is a ‘new
age’ bingo hall based in Shoreditch. It’s
going to be nonsensical. Dad jokes will
come at you hard and fast. Innuendo is
aplenty. And you best believe they’ll throw
a few drag queens in whenever possible.
The Dabbers motto seems to be more is
more. And we fully support it.
For the virtual games, they have a host
who performs in front of a green screen,
their resident DJ, the Ball Master and their
own head bartender who talks people
through making a few cocktails (you can
even purchase some cocktail kits ahead
of time with Dabbers). Behind the scenes
are a bunch of videographers making it feel
more professional too. It’s fairly seamlessly
done. They make it look easy.
And once you’ve taken all the silliness
in, all you have to do is play some bingo.
And watch on as many players think they
have won, only to be shamed in front of the
Zoom call for circling the wrong numbers.
Because who doesn’t love some public
bingo shaming? But it’s all done in good
fun. People are here to have a laugh.
Just don’t get too comfortable. Big prizes
are to be won. Win cash (up to £100), a
lucky toy cat, a year-long membership to
Dabbers and a drinks package delivered to
your door.
And we were so glad to see old Kevin
win £100 (after turning down the year-long
membership he already had) the day before
he was about to get his Covid-19 vaccine.
No one was upset to see this gentleman
win big! The same goes for Janice – a
woman around the same age as Kevin –
who beat a young couple in a dance off to
get her £30 cash prize.
It’s strange just how invested you get in
these bingo games. Not just the burning
desire to win some money, but also the
people you’re playing against.
At its core, bingo is just a whole lot of
wholesome fun. Plus, with most people’s
cameras on, it’s also a people watcher’s
dream come true.
•dabbers.bingo/virtual-shows

CITYMATTERS.LONDON
10 March - 06 April 2021 | Page 13
FOOD & DRINK
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THESE guys launched their
Broadgate site at the beginning
of 2020, just before everything
went to hell.
The doors were only open for
about three months. City workers
were starting to notice where that strong and
heavenly smell of garlic was coming from
in Finsbury Square. But it was all shut down
before Bar Douro could really cement itself as
a new Square Mile food and drink destination.
We were so bummed because they have
huge potential. We were lucky enough to
get in when they first opened. And were
obsessed right from the beginning. We
were transported right back to Lisbon when
sitting inside the small restaurant. The smells
coming from the open kitchen, the tiled
artwork and all that wine and port on the
menu just screamed Portugal.
That’s why we were so pumped to hear
about their DIY meal kits. These big boxes of
prepared meals do a pretty damn good job at
replicating the experience of dining in at Bar
Douro City.
And all it needed to get us there, was
peeling open the sealed bag full of Pata Negra
ham. This is some of the finest cured ham out
there – the kind of stuff you only really get
when you travel to Spain or Portugal. God
LET’S DO...
MOTHER’S DAY HAMPERS / Borough Market
Borough Market has launched five Mother’s Day
hampers, so mums can enjoy treats from the
Market in the comfort of their home. Packaged in
reuseable hessian tote bags, the hampers range
from sweet to savoury and staples to indulgences.
Customers across London and throughout the
UK who are keen to support independent traders
from the world class food market can order the
hampers from Borough Market Online, which are
then delivered by zero emission electric bikes for
those within a 10-mile radius of the market.
•goodsixty.co.uk/borough-market
ONLINE COOKING CLASSES / HYPER JAPAN
Ever made your own miso soup? Or an epic
okonomiyaki? Well, the team over at HYPER
JAPAN have got a bunch of chefs together to
host a series of online cooking classes for us to
keep entertained before the lockdown fully lifts.
Things kick off with a miso lesson from the miso
kings – Marukome. They’ll be sending out misomaking
kits packed with everything you need to
get fermenting. And two chefs will talk guests
through miso soup making via the Zoom call.
You then get okonomiyaki a few weeks later.
Now’s the time to try something new.
•hyperjapan.co.uk/online-events
we’ve missed it, just as we’ve missed all our
European holidaying. But this brought a small
part of that experience into our own London
home.
Next up were the deep-fried croquettes
de Alheira. These were filled with smoked
sausage (made of pork, chicken, duck and
rabbit), and plenty of parsley. We were meant
to delicately pipe some lemon mayo on top,
but our plating skills are lacking. It didn’t look
anywhere near as nice as the picture we
were trying to replicate, but damn they tasted
magnificent. And they only took about fiveminutes
to cook and plate. Winner.
As we were stuffing our mouths full
of croquettes, we began the next dish –
Bacalhau à brás. Think of it like a salted cod
hash. All we had to do was heat up the fish
and olives, add the straw fries, and then beat
in a couple eggs. We think we scrambled
the eggs a little too much (it didn’t have the
proper creaminess we think it was meant to
have). But damn that stodgy dish of fried bits
was divine – we actually left a decent chunk
of it behind to have for breakfast the next day.
And it was even better the day after!
Things crescendo with the main. A braised
lamb shank comes vacuum sealed (all you
need to do is heat it up in a bath of boiling
water). This was served with Batatas a murro
punched potatoes and grilled cabbage with a
soubise sauce. The potatoes are covered with
a good heap of paprika, confit garlic and herb
dressing.
And the cabbage was that little bit of green
which we really needed after all the richness
we had beforehand. We do wish we had a
little salad or some additional cleanly cooked
vegetables to break up all the intense flavours
going on in the feast, but we had plenty of
EATING IN:
BAR DOURO DIY KITS
rocket in the fridge so whipped up a quick
salad of our own.
That’s the beauty of making all this at home
– you can follow the meal kit instructions to
the book or have a little more fun with it yourself.
It’s up to you
After cleaning up the pans and pots, we
chucked the finale in the oven. The Touchino
de Ceu almond cake didn’t dry out in the
reheating. In fact, it was so moist and buttery.
We had this with a big glass of port we’d
bought from their wine club a while back. It
was the perfect ending to our little escape to
Portugal for the night.
And now that things are about to open
up again, you’ll have the option of either
ordering these DIY kits to your home or
heading into the Bar Douro restaurant itself.
Dealer’s choice.
•bardouro.co.uk/delivery
NEW WINE CONSULTATION SERVICE / Bacchus
Concierge
A new specialist wine consultation service has
been launched by wine expert & entrepreneur
Alexander de Valle. Filling a gap in the market
for a tailored, Bacchus Concierge is an independent
service for experienced wine collectors
and budding enthusiasts. They’re offering a
decent range of tailored and flexible subscription
plans starting at £100 per month, offering you the
opportunity to build a collection of fine and rare
wines from around the world. Talk with these guys
about all your favourite tipples and they’ll create
your very own selection of regular wines. It takes
all the fuss out of collecting.
•bacchusconcierge.com
PICNIC KITS / Boco di Lupo
Bocca di Lupo has launched the first of a new
range of picnic feasts. Each picnic kit have
been created by founder Jacob Kenedy with all
the essential ingredients of an Italian al fresco
feast. Bring on summer already! Delivered
chilled, the feasts are ready to grab and take to
the nearest park, stuffed with a generous selection
of classic Italian snacks and plates, a bottle
of Gelupo’s very own Prosecco, mineral water,
and eco-friendly cutlery, glasses and napkins.
This is eco-friendly and damn delicious. It’s
perfect for those who don’t have their own
local deli.
•boccadilupoathome.com

Page 14 | 10 March - 06 April 2021
CITYMATTERS.LONDON
WHAT’S ON
Rashid Johnson
© Hauser & Wirth.
WHAT’S ONLINE
IN THE CITY
+ Digital Barbican
Centre events
SCREEN TALK/ Our Lucky Hours
Our Lucky Hours is a thoughtprovoking
film that tells the story of
a pioneering psychiatric institution
in 1930s France. The asylum was
radically re-thought, with doctors,
patients and nurses working side
by side to run the facility, with the
support of the local community.
Patients were respected and
integrated. They took up roles in the
hospital kitchen, on local farms, they
published a newspaper, and many
pursued visual art practices.
For this ScreenTalk Sarah and Ben
will discuss the documentary, how its
themes intertwine with the work and
life of Jean Dubuffet, and the relevancy
of its subject matter in today’s
world.
11 March, free
•barbican.org.uk
MUSIC/ Live from the Barbican
The Barbican Centre will live-stream
the BBC Symphony Orchestra from
their Hall to your home. The BBC
SO draw on Celtic songs, prayers
and inspiration in an atmospheric
afternoon concert.
Mendelssohn’s poetic Symphony No
3 begins their journey, as they emulate
Mendelssohn’s travels through
Scotland.
14 March, tickets from £12.50
•barbican.org.uk
TALK/ Rashid Johnson in
conversation with Eleanor Nairne
The pair will consider how Dubuffet’s
work has impacted Johnson’s own
artistic practice.
This event has been programmed
to coincide with Jean Dubuffet:
Brutal Beauty, an exhibition celebrating
French artist Jean Dubuffet
(1901-1985), one of the most singular
and provocative voices in post-war
modern art.
This is a live online event. Book for
more details. Information on how to
join will be sent out in the week before
the event.
25 March, free
•barbican.org.uk
DIGITAL TOUR/ Sculpture in the City
Sculpture in the City, the City of London’s annual public art
programme set amongst iconic architectural landmarks, has just
launched its multimedia digital guide for visitors to explore at home,
made possible by Bloomberg Philanthropies. The guide is available
through the free digital app, Bloomberg Connects and offers a new
way to explore Sculpture in the City virtually. With works juxtaposed
against the iconic buildings in the Square Mile, the app offers audiences
the chance to explore the current ninth edition from home, hear
from featured artists and navigate previous editions through the app.
•sculptureinthecity.org.uk
THEATRE / Guildhall School of Music &
Drama spring season
Students at Guildhall School of Music
& Drama are not letting this lockdown
stop them from putting on their muchloved
shows. And, like so many cultural
experiences, they are taking to the web
this season.
There is a chance to see The Drowned
World, Gary Owen’s rarely performed
play directed by John Haidar, and a series
of short, stand-alone solo performances
titled Pieces of Us, created by Guildhall
School students overseen by dramaturg
Jude Christian.
Acting and Production Arts students will
also create two devised works in collaboration
with multi award-winning theatre
companies Barrel Organ and Breach.
From 10 March, free
•gsmd.ac.uk/spring_2021
FOR KIDS/ Curse of the Crackles
Shoreditch Town Hall will be hosting
the world première digital production
of Curse of the Crackles!, an interactive
audio adventure for children and
families.
Riff is a good dog and the most
excellentist puppy, but she needs your
help! The world is in chaos – listen…
It’s the Crackles! Those annoying little
bits of naughty have muddled up all the
sounds in the universe and now it’s up
to you and Riff the puppy to put them
all back.
Featuring innovative three-dimensional
sound technology, Curse of
the Crackles! is a hilarious interactive
audio adventure that immerses you in
a brilliantly chaotic quest – the perfect
sensory journey that can be enjoyed
from anywhere, in any space.
From 13 March, £3.50
•shoreditchtownhall.com
ONLINE EXHIBITION/ DECENTRALISE
Participants of the Somerset House’s
Young Producers collective are putting on
their inaugural project DECENTRALISE,
a new free interactive digital archive
which celebrates the cultural history of
Black British art. DECENTRALISE offers
guests the chance to engage virtually with
over 16 key objects from, and inspired
by, Somerset House’s exhibition past,
spanning Afro-nowism, Afrofuturism,
political arts and disobedient objects,
through design, interaction and play.
From 16 March, free
•somersethouse.org.uk
eastlondonradio.org.uk

CITYMATTERS.LONDON
10 March - 06 April 2021 | Page 15
EDUCATION
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FARM IN A BOX
FOOD & FARM LEARNING FOR KIDS
Hands-on learning
In her final speech as Children’s
Commissioner, Anne Longfield called for
a year of opportunity for disadvantaged
children.
She said: “Enabling every child, from
whatever background, not just to learn in
the classroom but to develop their own
interest.
“Finding joy in finding out, with confidence
and resilience by forging their own
path.”
Jill Attenborough, CEO of The Country
Trust, added: “We surveyed our partner
teachers during lockdown to find out what
they felt was going to be needed as and
when their pupils returned to school.
“Their priorities were clear – maths and
literacy, but also emotional and physical
wellbeing, language and communication,
social skills and time outdoors. So, this
gave us our blueprint for Farm in a Box.
“The Country Trust is ready to be part
of the huge and sustained effort that’s
needed to address the challenges brought
about by the pandemic.
“We think food and farming opportunities
and experiences are vital for all
children, but especially those who have
suffered disproportionately over the last
year.
“They open a window onto a myriad of
possibilities – a chance to find the spark
for future interest as well as an amazing
opportunity to develop language, communication,
confidence and resilience.
“We all need to feel connected, and we
all need to know that our actions matter.
“With Farm in a Box, and later our wider
programmes, we can bring rich opportunities
and experiences – vital for developing
emotional, intellectual and social skills
and for building self-confidence and selfesteem
– to the children most in need.”
•countrytrust.org.uk
EDUCATION charity The
Country Trust has four decades
of experience in creating
opportunities for disadvantaged
children to find ‘joy in finding
out’ and has now worked with
teachers and farmers to develop Farm
in a Box – an innovative new way to
create encounters with food and farming
learning, despite Covid-19 restrictions.
Handcrafted by experienced Country
Trust Coordinators and local farmers, the
boxes are filled with exciting resources –
farm produce to taste, seeds to touch and
plant, activities, challenges and experiments
for pupils to try as part of their Farm
in a Box day.
Teachers lead the activities but where
technology allows, the children meet their
farmer via a live link to share their excitement
and ask questions.
Each box is based on a real working
farm and accompanied by a short film in
which the host farmer welcomes the class
and takes them on a virtual tour of his or
her farm.
As of December 2020, Country Trust
delivered 67 separate Farm in a Box experiences
to 2,161 children.
The charity moved to Farm in a Box
Online during Lockdown 3 but is already
building an order list for Farm in a Box for
the summer term having received rave
reviews from teachers, pupils and farmers.
In normal times, The Country Trust
runs food and farming programmes
for primary schools with a high percentage
of children eligible for Free School Meals,
schools and groups providing for children
with Special Educational Needs and
Disabilities (SEN/D), young carers, vulnerable
and refugee children.
Farm Discovery visits to real
working farms are at the heart of
their mission to help children learn,
grow and thrive.
With the restrictions of the pandemic
The Country Trust team knew they had to
find a new way to respond.
Research published during
the pandemic has revealed that
253,000 children in England have
no access to outdoor space, a
number that is noticeably skewed towards
BAME children and those living in poverty.
Opportunities and experiences
are a vital part of developing the
skills for future success and none
more so than those which connect
us to food and the land that sustains
us.
The Country Trust is advocating that
food, farming and countryside experiences
should be included as a vital part of
the catch-up strategy and that government
support must be sustained and targeted
where it is most needed - disadvantaged
children.
Farm to table

CITYMATTERS.LONDON 10 March - 06 April 2021 | Page 17
SOCIAL
Over 2,000 young people
in a north London
borough will be helped
to build their confidence
and immerse themselves
in the arts, thanks to new
funding for an award-winning theatre.
Kiln Theatre will run drama workshops
offering young people – including
refugees and asylum seekers – the
chance to take part in projects including
workshops, career skills development
and performing and taking backstage
roles in productions at its 292-seat theatre
in Kilburn High Road, when Covid-19
restrictions allow.
Meanwhile, a series of playwriting
courses will enable aspiring young writers
to learn and develop their craft.
The projects, which will work with
young people from across the London
Borough of Brent, is funded by a £246,000
grant over five years from City Bridge Trust
– the City of London Corporation’s charity
funder.
City of London Corporation City Bridge
Trust Committee Chairman Dhruv Patel,
said: “Theatre is sometimes seen as an
activity for a privileged few, and young
people from less well-off backgrounds
may have never even considered visiting a
theatre, let alone writing a play or getting
on stage.
“Kiln Theatre does an incredible job in
breaking down those barriers to bring in
young people from incredibly diverse
backgrounds, fuelling their creativity and
Kiln Theatre
broadening their horizons as to what they
can achieve in life.”
Recently named best London theatre in
The Stage awards, the theatre can trace
its roots back to 1980 and, following a
major refurbishment in 2018, also boasts
a cinema and three rehearsal spaces.
The City Bridge Trust funding will also
see 1,000 free theatre tickets allocated to
school pupils from across the borough,
many of whom will be experiencing live
theatre for the first time, when Covid
restrictions allow.
Kiln Theatre artistic director Indhu
Rubasingham said: “We are constantly
inspired by the power and creativity the
MAKING THEIR
VOICES HEARD
young people we engage with have within
them.
“They are the lifeblood of our
organisation and the future of our industry
and we want to make sure they have a
place to be heard, in their own words.”
•www.kilntheatre.com
LEGAL & PUBLIC NOTICE
SECTION 17 LICENSING ACT 2003
LICENSING ACT 2003 APPLICATION
FOR A NEW PREMISES LICENCE
Notice is hereby given that BloomsYard Ltd has applied
to the City of London on 03/03/2021 for a new premises
licence to use at Level 2 Café, 100 Liverpool Street,
London, EC2M 2AT to permit the sale of alcohol on and
off the premises 07:00 – 00:00 Monday to Sunday.
A record of this application is held by the City of London and
can be viewed by members of the public online by visiting
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk or by appointment at the offices
of City of London licensing authority, Walbrook Wharf,
78-83 Upper Thames Street, London EC4R 3TD.
Any person wishing to make a representation in relation
to this application must give notice in writing to the
licensing authority at the address shown above, giving
in detail the grounds of objection by 31/03/2021.
The licensing authority must receive representations by the
date given above. The licensing authority will have regard to
any such representation when considering the application.
It is an offence, under section 158 of the Licensing
Act 2003, to knowingly or recklessly make a false
statement in or in connection with an application for
premises licence and the maximum fine on being
convicted of such an offence is unlimited.
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Your puzzle challenge
CROSS CODE
19 8 7 8 17 21 20 6 12 8 23 22
20 3 20 8 8 26 23
4 20 11 8 12 13 20 8 12 23 17 24
8 8 23 11 22 17 16
11 17 10 9 22 10 9 8 17 20 23 8
10 20 23 1 10 20 1
2 15 8 12 4 5 10 14 23 20 3 12
6 3 8 20 17 3 12
9 8 17 4 5 8 11 25 10 18 8 22
10 8 10 11 8 12 15
16 8 20 9 23 16 20 22 23 3 12 6
20 16 8 8 15 19 20
17 20 21 14 16 8 11 22 5 8 8 17
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
14 15 16
Each number in our Cross Code grid represents a different letter
of the alphabet. You have three letters in the control grid to start
you off. Enter them in the appropriate squares in the main grid,
then use your knowledge of words to work out which letters
should go in the missing squares.
As you get the letters, fill in other squares with the same number
in the main grid and control grid. Check off the alphabetical list of
letters as you identify them.
MAGIC SQUARE
TOLERATE PAL’S POSE
Using all 16 letters of the phrase above, form
four words each of four letters which will fit in the
grid to form a magic square in which the words
can be read both horizontally and vertically.
SUDOKU
Easy
17 18 19 20 21
R
10 11 12 13
O
22 23 24 25 26
7 2 1 5 6 8
5 3 7 8 2
6 9 8 2 3
8 4 7
6 7 9
5 9 6 3
5 1
9 1 2 8 3 4
4 6 1 9 8 5
S
NONAGRAM
How many words of four
letters or more can you
make from this
Nonagram? Each word
must use the central letter,
and each letter may be
used only once. At least
one word using all nine
letters can be found.
Guidelines:
18 Good; 22 Very Good;
25 Excellent.
Any word found in the Concise
Oxford Dictionary (Tenth Edition) is
eligible with the following
exceptions: proper nouns; plural
nouns, pronouns and possessives;
third person singular verbs;
hyphenated words; contractions
and abbreviations; vulgar slang
words; variant spellings of the
same word (where another variant
is also eligible).
Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 to 9, and so must each 3 x 3 box.
Quiz Challenge
1. Washington DC stands on the
banks of which US river?
2. What do the British plants
sundew and butterwort have in
common?
3. Bradley Simpson is the lead
singer of which British pop
rock band?
4. Which English city has a
medieval street known as The
Shambles?
5. At the start of the 1990 Gulf
War, which country was
invaded by Iraq?
G O S
E A G
U N Y
WORD PYRAMID
Spell out a 15-letter word or
phrase by moving from one
chamber to another within
the pyramid. You may
only enter each of the
chambers once and
may only proceed
through openings
in the walls. The
first letter may
appear in any
chamber.
FIVE ALIVE
6 4 3
5 2 8 1
1
7 9
4 3 1 2
6 4
7 6 8
8 5
5 7 3 1
6. The names Dillian Whyte and
Lawrence Okolie are
associated with which sport?
7. Which children’s TV series
regularly featured the serial
Pigs in Space?
8. Pitmaston Pineapple is a
variety of which type of fruit?
9. Nobody Does it Better was the
theme tune of which James
Bond film?
10. What B is a style of trousers
that become wider from the
knees downward?
OT TH HE EF TR
Hard
E
EU UO OE
SR LE RA TU EN
TC OR DA
ES OA SD AE LS
N
E
U R G
S O P G
H E L I N
Here are two
miniature fivesquare
crosswords
using the same
grid – but the
letters have
been mixed up.
You have to
work out which
letters belong
to which
crossword.
EQUALISER
12 9
9 3 3
4 4
11 1 5
2 7
Place the four signs (add,
subtract, multiply, divide)
one in each circle so that
the total of each across
and down line is the same.
Perform the first calculation in each
line first and ignore the mathematical
law which says you should always
perform division and multiplication
before addition and subtraction.
This puzzle page is supplied by
Sirius Media Services Ltd.
To try our new puzzle,
Zygolex, go to
www.zygolex.com
© Sirius Media Services Ltd
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD
1
7
9
12
14
17
21
20
24
22
2
10
2 3
11
17
21
3
8
14
3
15
10
4
13
16
ACROSS
DOWN
5. Pen a note in church (4)
7. Letting the sound fade away
when dealing with notes
(10)
8. Right skinny sounding (4)
9. Remains until there’s a
complete cessation (10)
12. Songster allowed outside
the pub (6)
13. Fall in America towards the
end of the year (6)
14. Special abilities of learners
in long snowshoes (6)
16. Publicity damp clothes
could do with (6)
17. Expert pace is revised and
put on record (10)
20. Lose the equivalent of a
mile (4)
21. I got airmen out of leaving
country (10)
22. Dame befuddled by drink (4)
QUICK CROSSWORD
1
9
11
20
26
29
2
18
12
3
21
27
13
14
21
4
8
10
22
23
28
15
5
8
11
18
6
12
19
1. Bet they can be evens as
well (4)
2. Some of them may have
come up with a girl’s
name (4)
3. Unfashionable group from
the start (6)
4. Pain again developed round
the neck initially (6)
5. Relative security (10)
6 & 10. Why Einstein and
Hawking have the same
spontaneous ideas (5,5,5,5)
11. Bewildered as no number
increased in value (10)
15. Gamble that is made with
coined money (6)
16. Father returns to unusually
airy place for bees (6)
18. In the chair I sat on a f
lower (4)
19. A picking-up point (4)
5
15
19
5
24
6
10
16
6
25
7
24
7
17
SOLUTIONS
30
NONAGRAM:
aeon; agog; agony; ague; anus;
easy; eyas; gage; gang; gangue;
gauge; gean; genoa; guan; guano;
naggy; naos; nosegay; noyau; sage;
saggy; sago; sane; sang; snag;
snaggy; soya; SYNAGOGUE;
uneasy; unsay; usage; yagé; yang;
yean; yoga; yuan.
Across – Other; Slate; Sodas.
Down – Ousts; Hoard; Reeds.
Across – Theft; Rerun; Easel.
Down – Terce; Euros; Tonal.
(2)
FIVE ALIVE:
(1)
QUICK CROSSWORD:
Across – 1 Notable; 8 Replete; 9 Bolster; 10 Artiste; 11 Earnest;
14 Tag; 16 Dumb; 18 Jute; 19 Axis; 20 Neon; 21 Mat; 23 Best
man; 26 Faux pas; 28 Orifice; 29 Stagger; 30 Brewers.
Down – 1 Nobleman; 2 Tiler; 3 Bathe; 4 Errata; 5 Spot; 6 Celsius;
7 Gene; 12 Noun; 13 Stem; 15 Gate; 16 Diet; 17 Blunders; 18
Jocular; 22 Absorb; 24 Spice; 25 Moire; 26 Fuse; 27 Page.
CRYPTIC CROSSWORD:
Across – 5 Cage; 7 Diminuendo; 8 Lien; 9 Standstill; 12 Linnet;
13 Autumn; 14 Skills; 16 Airing; 17 Specialist; 20 Miss; 21
Emigration; 22 Mead.
Down – 1 Odds; 2 Emma; 3 Outset; 4 Angina; 5 Collateral; 6 & 10
Great minds think alike; 11 Nonplussed; 15 Specie; 16 Apiary; 18
Iris; 19 Tine.
EQUALISER:
Clockwise from top
left – divide; add;
subtract; multiply.
Total: 6.
WORD PYRAMID:
Generous helping.
X
Z
MAGIC SQUARE:
rote; opal; taps;
else.
26
13
J
N
25
12
Y
D
24
11
T
O
23
10
1 2 6 7 4 3 5 9 8
9 5 4 2 6 8 1 7 3
3 7 8 9 5 1 2 4 6
8 1 7 4 9 2 3 6 5
4 3 9 5 1 6 7 8 2
2 6 5 3 8 7 4 1 9
7 9 1 6 3 5 8 2 4
6 8 3 1 2 4 9 5 7
5 4 2 8 7 9 6 3 1
S
P
22
9
M
E
21
8
A
V
20
7
F
G
19
6
K
H
18
5
7 2 4 1 9 5 6 3 8
1 5 3 7 8 6 2 4 9
6 9 8 2 4 3 5 1 7
2 3 9 8 6 4 7 5 1
8 6 1 5 3 7 4 9 2
5 4 7 9 2 1 8 6 3
3 8 5 4 7 9 1 2 6
9 1 2 6 5 8 3 7 4
4 7 6 3 1 2 9 8 5
EASY SUDOKU HARD SUDOKU
R
C
17
4
L
I
16
U
Q
15
B
W
14
CROSS CODE
1 2 3
QUIZ CHALLENGE: 1 The Potomac; 2 They trap and digest insects; 3 The Vamps; 4 York; 5 Kuwait; 6 Boxing; 7 The Muppet Show;
8 Apple; 9 The Spy Who Loved Me; 10 Bell-bottoms .
ACROSS
1. Worthy of
attention (7)
8. Sated (7)
9. Long pillow (7)
10. Performer (7)
11. Sincere (7)
14. Label (3)
16. Speechless (4)
18. Plant fibre (4)
19. Rotational
centre (4)
20. Inert gas (4)
21. Rug (3)
23. Groomsman (4,3)
26. Gaffe (4,3)
28. Opening (7)
29. Lurch (7)
30. Beer makers (7)
DOWN
1. Peer (8)
2. Roofer (5)
3. Swim (5)
4. Misprints (6)
5. Pimple (4)
6. Temperature
scale (7)
7. Unit of
heredity (4)
12. Part of speech (4)
13. Stalk (4)
15. Movable
barrier (4)
16. Food regime (4)
17. Embarrassing
mistakes (8)
18. Humorous (7)
22. Soak up (6)
24. Zest (5)
25. Watered silk (5)
26. Combine (4)
27. Boy attendant (4)

CITYMATTERS.LONDON
10 March - 06 April 2021 | Page 19
THE BIG PICTURE
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SIGNS OF LIFE: with the roadmap out of
lockdown made public, workers will soon
return to the City. Photo by Harry Roberts.
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